Questão 96652

Lexical ambiguity, or polysemy, occurs when a single word has multiple related meanings. The interpretation of such a word depends heavily on its surrounding context. In legal and contractual language, minimizing ambiguity is paramount to ensure clarity and enforceability. However, in literary texts, authors often exploit ambiguity for artistic effect. Read the following excerpt: 'The old mariner, having lost his bearings, could only look at the endless sea and the fleeting light of the lighthouse, his last _______ in a world of darkness.' Which word best completes the sentence, creating a deliberate ambiguity between 'hope' and 'a source of light'?